Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

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  When God Provides 03.10.2026 4мин

  READ: EXODUS 16:11-31; JOHN 6:25-40, 58 Have you ever seen worms wriggling around in old food—maybe in a trash can or compost pile? It’s pretty gross! The book of Exodus tells us about a time when people disobeyed God and food grew worms overnight. Back when the people of Israel were wandering in the wilderness for forty years, they needed food. They had no opportunity to settle down, raise a crop, and live off the fat of the land. So God, ever the loving Provider, sent them food from heaven, which appeared on the ground each morning like dew. It came for forty years, day in, day out. The people called it manna, which means “What is it?” But God’s directions were clear: Only collect enough manna for each day. Some disobeyed God’s command. Maybe they worried the food might not show up tomorrow. And their extra, hoarded manna? Ruined and filled with worms the next morning. There was one exception: God told the people they should collect extra manna the day before the weekly Sabbath. That manna could be set aside for the next day so they could rest, as God had commanded. And that food did not grow worms. God thinks of everything. The manna provided a wonderful picture of God’s faithfulness! The people in the desert learned that they could depend on Him to give them what they needed. He saw them, cared, and provided. And they learned that His commands and promises are true and trustworthy! Centuries later, in the New Testament, Jesus compared Himself to manna. He called Himself “the bread that came down from heaven,” a picture the people could understand (John 6:41). He came to bring life. He loves us so much that He died and rose again to make the way for everyone who puts their trust in Him to receive that life. Jesus is the sustenance, the daily bread, the life we need each day. • Kristen Merrill • Can you think of a time God sustained you through a difficult season? What was that like? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this. • In Exodus 16, why do you think God gave the people just what they needed each day instead of a large store of food that would last for months? “I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty again.” John 6:35 (CSB)
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  Not Alone 02.10.2026 4мин

  READ: PSALM 139:1-10; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:14-21 Out of habit, her eyes swept the crowded cafeteria, but not one familiar face registered from the blur of morning classes. Starting over was always this way. Two girls, hovered in a private conversation, ignored Nora as she approached their table. She dropped her backpack and sighed. She hated moving, but that was military life. She nibbled on a granola bar, not to make it last but because there was nothing else to do. Groups clumped together, and the room buzzed. Nora shuddered—as if a spotlight had singled her out, the only person in the room sitting alone—and swallowed her last bite. She crumpled the wrapper, thankful for something to do, and walked to the trash can. Chin up. Change is hard. There’s more ahead. New friends. She blinked back tears. Her positive self-talk couldn’t crack the loneliness. She breathed a prayer—Lord, help me. She tossed the wrapper and turned back to the table where now only one girl remained with her head bent, shoulders hunched. The girl looked up, her eyes brimmed with water. “You okay?” Nora slid next to her. A tear escaped before the girl’s face hardened. “Yeah. I’m fine.” “Sorry. Not trying to be nosy.” Nora pulled a tissue from her backpack. “Your mascara. “Thanks.” The girl dabbed under her eyes. “I haven’t seen you before.” “Yeah. It’s my first day. I’m Nora.” “I’m Teagan.” A buzzer blared, lunch ended, and the girls stood. “Hope things go better.” Nora picked up her backpack. Teagan’s eyes filled, and she nodded and left. As Nora joined the crush of students filing out of the cafeteria, she straightened her shoulders and stepped into the hallway. She wasn’t alone. The hall was jammed with people, each with their own stories and their own struggles. She breathed another prayer: Jesus, please bless Teagan and help her today. Thank You for giving me an opportunity to show Your love to her—and maybe to others too. And thank You for being with me. • Gretchen Carlson • Can you think of a time you felt alone or out of place? How might it be helpful to remember that, in Jesus, we are never alone—and He calls us to be part of His good work wherever we are? Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:10 (NIV) 
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  I Carry His Fragrance 01.10.2026 4мин

  READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 6:19-20; 2 CORINTHIANS 2:12-17 I never liked my name. The meaning of Sourabhi is sweet fragrance. There were innumerable reasons for not liking my name, but the major ones were: (1) No one could ever pronounce it properly. Every time it was called out, I wished I could disappear. And (2) I constantly ran out of space when writing it on forms, especially at school. My nickname is Mini, and I loved it because it was short, crisp, and didn’t need much explanation. In college, almost everyone knew me as Mini. My dislike for my name continued through my teenage years and into adulthood. It’s just that, as an adult, I learned to cope with it. Whenever someone asked my name, I would pause, wondering if the person wouldn’t be able to catch it the first time and if I’d have to repeat it. I’m an introvert, so any attention made me uncomfortable, especially when it was about my name. I recently started blogging, and when I had to write my introduction, I didn’t expect God to meet me there. As I typed out Sourabhi, the Holy Spirit highlighted something I had never truly noticed before, the meaning of my name. It touched me deeply. I sensed that—more than the pronunciation or the struggle to make people understand—what truly stood out was its meaning. Fragrance. A word I’d read and heard countless times in Scripture. And that’s when my love for my name began. In 2 Corinthians 2:14, Paul says that God uses us, His people, to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ. So just ponder this: the parts of you that feel awkward or unwanted are also carrying His presence. Would you accept this truth, or would you still dislike those parts of yourself? • Sourabhi Sircar • Have you ever wished something about you was different—maybe your name or a part of your personality, appearance, or background? What has made it hard for you to accept that part? • Jesus loves every part of us, and He invites us to share His love, His truth, and His hope with all that we are! What might it look like for you to trust Him with the things about yourself that you usually try to hide? How might He use those areas to reveal His presence to others? Consider taking a moment to talk to Jesus about this, asking Him to help you see yourself as He sees you. Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14 (WEB) 
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  You Are There 30.09.2026 4мин

  READ: PSALM 139:7-12; JEREMIAH 29:8-14; ROMANS 8:18-39 Even in the darkest nights When the sun is nowhere to be seen Even in the hardest fights When hope feels like a distant dream When I’m struggling to smile Because all I want is to scream O Lord, You are there And You will comfort me. Even if my friends and family And church leaders turn away And even if I cannot bear To face another day Even if my body Seems to give up on me too O Lord, You are there And I will trust in You. For You know the plans You have for me I will trust that they are good And that in the end I will see Your promises have withstood Dark times are no walk in the park. You might even laugh at that and add, “Yeah, and they’re no walk either! More like an army marathon that you didn’t train for at all.” I get it. Everyone experiences times when hope seems to be the furthest thing from them. Maybe it’s a scary health issue. Perhaps your family is struggling with their relationships. Sometimes you just feel lost, lonely, and sad. But take heart! You are not alone. God loves us so much that He came to live among us—He was born, lived, died, and rose again, taking our sins on His shoulders so we could live life with Him. We can know that He is always with us. He offers us comfort in the hard times, letting us know He is grieving with us. And He will provide hope, reminding us that no matter what this world throws our way, He is coming back to make all things new—getting rid of sin, death, brokenness, and pain forever. And that promise will never be broken. So, take heart! • Anna Tuckfield • What kinds of difficulties have you been going through lately? Consider taking some time to talk to Jesus about your pain, receiving His compassionate comfort and asking Him to show you how He is with you in the midst of your circumstances. [Jesus said,] “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NLT) 
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  Broken to Beautiful 29.09.2026 7мин

  READ: ISAIAH 64:8; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-7; 4:5-18; 12:9-10 Another crack! I peered at the inside of my arm, horrified. It began years ago, these fissures that looked like my skin split and was leaking gold. Most of the time, it didn’t hurt, but I was ashamed of how I looked. I tugged my long kimono sleeve down to hide the new imperfection, glancing around to make sure no one had seen. There’s a pattern I’m noticing: When I do something wrong, a crack appears on my skin. When someone wrongs me, another one appears! If something tragic happens, another…and the scars remain. The first time was when my best friend in this great world passed away. A jagged lightning bolt tore across my heart. Fitting, for that’s how I felt—like my heart was being torn in two. The second time, I took a few coins from my guardians’ shop when no one was looking. As I wrapped my fingers around the coins, I watched the skin on my hand split. Yet another time, one who was supposed to love and protect me struck me across the face. As I apply my makeup each morning, I remind myself not to cry and make the ugly visible. As I walked slowly down the path of flat stones leading to the tea garden, contemplating, a bush beside me shuddered. I leapt to the side, my hands positioned for defense. A man who looked like a Wise One emerged from the bush. “My apologies for startling you; just trimming the bushes.” His dark eyes radiated a kindness I had not felt for a long time. “What is your name?” His shears stilled as he regarded me. I dipped my head, allowing a dark curtain of hair to fall in my face. “Kowareta.” “Ah, meaning broken—curious given your beauty.” “You wouldn’t say that if you knew,” I responded bitterly. “Try me.” Something about him made me want to show the scars, and I rolled back my sleeve. He barely reacted to the fissure. “There are more,” I blurted, “and they don’t go away. “But the broken can be beautiful,” he spoke softly. “Would you like to know how?” “Please! I would give anything to have these scars erased!” “My dear child, you misunderstand. There is One who makes your broken beautiful. There is One who sees every scar and uses it; the greater the cracks, the more the Light shines.” Fear and desperation made me clench my fists. “I know the One you speak of. Years ago, I became His. But how could the Light shine through me when I am like this? I am ashamed; there is much I need to change.” “He wants you just as you are. Look, even now the gold is a sign of His love. Trust Him.” I felt it deep in my bones, like a fire running through every crack on my skin: Yes! How did I not see it before? The gold shows that I belong to Him. The scars remained, but I felt peace—a comforting Presence. A still, small voice whispered: Child, I will use them; all these scars. I have removed the shame from them. Because of my forgiveness and my healing, you and those around you will see the beauty I create with them. Your name is not Kowareta. It is Kintsugi, my daughter. • Savannah Coleman • Today’s allegorical story is inspired by the Japanese art of kintsugi (golden joinery), in which broken pottery is repaired with lacquer, and gold dust is sprinkled onto t...
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  Perseverance in Prayer 28.09.2026 4мин

  READ: PSALMS 68:5; 145:8-9; LUKE 18:1-8 Have you ever felt like you have lost the heart to pray? It could be for any number of reasons. Jesus knows there are times we may be discouraged from praying, and so He tells a parable in Luke 18 meant to encourage His people to not give up praying. The first character in this story is a judge. Right away, we learn this is not a God-fearing or people-respecting judge, meaning he’s probably not going to settle your case fairly. Chances are, to get a favorable ruling, you’d probably need to grease this judge’s palm. Next, we meet the second character in the story: an impoverished widow seeking justice from the unjust judge. This widow doesn’t have the influence, power, or money necessary to sway his opinion. So, what does the widow do? She perseveres. Eventually the judge gives the widow a just ruling because he becomes so sick and tired of her “pestering” him (verse 5)! Now, we may read this parable and think the judge is supposed to be God. If that were true, then God would be a grumpy, unfair judge who only listens to us if we bug Him enough. But this view of God couldn’t be further from the truth! Notice how Jesus explains the parable in verses 6 and 7: if even the unjust judge in this story answered the widow’s request because of her perseverance, how much more will a perfectly just and loving God answer our requests? With this truth in mind, we can be encouraged to persevere in our prayers, knowing that God hears us with tenderness and compassion. • Jonathon Fuller • Can you think of a time you lost the heart to pray? Jesus understands. He sees everything you’re going through, and He has so much empathy for you. • When we’re hurting, it’s easy to imagine that God is coldhearted toward us. But He loves us so ardently that He was willing to die for us! Whenever you pray, you can rest assured that you belong to the God who has chosen you, receives your cry, and promises to work on your behalf. Do you have any favorite Bible passages that remind you what God is really like? How could being reminded of God’s characteristics—like His love, His justice, and His profound care for us—help us come to Him with our needs and longings? Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 (CSB) 
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  Reaching for Heaven: Simeon Stylites & Asceticism 27.09.2026 4мин

  READ: COLOSSIANS 1:13-14, 21-22; 2:2-8, 16-23; 3:5-17; 4:2-6 We’re all faced with the temptation to try to look godly to those around us. We might go to church, volunteer to pray, pray before every meal, refuse to use certain words, and the list could go on. But does a list of actions truly reflect how close we are to God? Fairly early on in Christianity, a trend toward something called asceticism arose. Asceticism is the belief that the strict discipline of bodily pleasures is key to growing closer to God: the more you resist earthly comforts or pleasures, the more holy you are considered to be. During the 400s AD, an ascetic monk by the name of Simeon Stylites believed in asceticism so strongly that he climbed on top of an old pillar and chose to live on its square surface, which would’ve been about a meter wide, for almost forty years. People flocked to ask for his advice or just to see the spectacle. Simeon Stylites kept moving to pillars that were taller and taller, and by the end of his life, the pillar he was living on was fifty feet high! Simeon believed the further he removed himself from the physical comforts of this earth, the closer he would be to God. According to the book of Colossians, Paul actually teaches the opposite. When referring to ascetic practices, Paul says they “have an appearance of wisdom” but are in fact worthless (Colossians 2:23). Following God isn’t about making ourselves look godly on the outside—it’s about relying on Jesus. He is the only one who can save us and help us grow in relationship with God. As we rest in Jesus and His work on the cross, we remember that we belong to Him and nothing can take us out of His hands (John 10:27-30). That living on top of a pillar won’t make God love us any more or any less (Matthew 11:28; Ephesians 2:8-10). And that Jesus has already done everything needed to bring us close to God (Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22). • Jonathon Fuller • Can you think of anything you might do because you believe it will make Jesus love you more? • Read Romans 8:38-39. In Christ, can anything separate you from God’s love or thwart His promises to save you? (For more about the good news of Jesus, see our "Know Jesus" page.) Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Colossians 2:23 (NIV) 
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  Hospitality from the Heart 26.09.2026 4мин

  READ: ROMANS 12:9-21; 1 PETER 4:7-11 After a long week of boring classes and demanding homework assignments, I was very excited when the weekend arrived. I was free to enjoy myself, at least for a few hours. I didn’t have any big plans—one of my new college friends was coming over, and we were going to watch an episode of a TV show together. When we finished the episode, my new friend invited me and my roommate over to her dorm room. This gesture of kindness might seem small, but it meant a lot to me. She made popcorn for us to share, talked with us about life, and even offered to make us hot tea in her microwave. My friend’s hospitality was simple yet incredibly thoughtful. Everything from the freshly-popped popcorn to her words of encouragement made our evening special. Her example serves as a reminder that hospitality doesn’t need to be complicated or extravagant. In fact, it can be quite simple, as long as it comes from the heart. Throughout the course of Jesus’s ministry, many people demonstrated hospitality. For example, Martha invited Jesus into her home (Luke 10:38), and an unnamed man hosted Passover in his home for Jesus and His disciples (Mark 14:12-16). Even thousands of years later, we can have an incredible impact on others by showing hospitality to believers and nonbelievers alike. Our acts of hospitality don’t require four-course meals, countless hours of cleaning, or elaborate decor. Hospitality simply requires a servant’s heart—a heart transformed by Jesus and filled with His hospitable love. • Grace McCready • What comes to mind when you hear the word hospitality? Do you automatically think of something elaborate, like a fancy dinner party? Hospitality is often much simpler (Luke 10:38-42; John 21:1-14). Can you think of a time someone showed you simple hospitality, perhaps by inviting you into their space, offering you food, or even just making you feel welcome and included? • Remember, we can show hospitality to others because Jesus has shown the greatest hospitality to us— welcoming us into His family by dying on the cross and rising from the grave for us. Jesus even said that He was going to the Father to prepare a place for us (John 14:1-3). What is one thing you could do to show hospitality to somebody this week? Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:8-9 (NIV) 
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  Amazing Earth 25.09.2026 4мин

  READ: GENESIS 1:1-19; PSALM 19:1; COLOSSIANS 1:15-22 Have you ever put together an aquarium? If not, you may be surprised how many requirements have to be met to create an ideal habitat for fish. Some species require fresh water, others salt. Some thrive with companions; others prefer to live alone. Temperature must be adjusted, a bubbler installed, and the right kind of food provided. If your fish are going to survive, you need to plan your aquarium very carefully. God paid even more attention to detail when He created the earth. When we examine all the provisions He made for us to thrive on our beautiful planet, we find He created Earth specifically, with a very intentional design in mind. When God created, it wasn’t out of haphazard loneliness or boredom, but out of love! Consider just these few details that make it possible for plants, animals, and humans to live: • God created oceans full of water to sustain us, as well as the weather patterns required to cycle it in various forms across the entire earth. • God created a way to recycle oxygen through photosynthesis so we’d never run out of breathable air. • God covered the earth in a protective atmosphere. • God set the earth in motion with precision. If our globe rotated slower, the longer days and nights would result in extreme temperatures and lock our water supply in a solid or gaseous state. • When God tilted the earth on an axis, He extended the growing season far into the north and south. Isn’t God amazing? None of the other planets in our solar system can claim even one of these life-sustaining qualities, yet ours has them all! When we study God’s handiwork, we can see how wise, purposeful, and creative He truly is—and how much He truly loves us. • Michelle Isenhoff • Sometimes our world feels chaotic. That’s why it can be helpful to slow down, examine creation, and notice God’s great care in all the intentional details He designed. Though our world has been broken by sin, we can still see God’s goodness in it, and we have the assurance that Jesus will return one day to make all creation whole, free from the effects of sin. How can beholding creation and studying it through science help us remember that God cares for us? For the LORD is God, and he created the heavens and earth and put everything in place. He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos. “I am the LORD,” he says, “and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:18 (NLT) 
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  Tears in the Night 24.09.2026 6мин

  READ: JOSHUA 23:3; PSALM 61:2-4; ISAIAH 54:17 I clutched the blankets over my face to muffle my sobs. I didn’t want my family to hear me crying. We had a good day together, and right now everyone was healthy in our family. But when the lights were out and I lay in bed, my heart was aching, burdened. So I let the tears flow until my body trembled with each breath. Flashes of the past few years played in my mind. Scenes of hospital rooms, moments of utter fear, and the long road we had traveled in the recovery, only for the whole process to repeat itself all over again. In the course of the last four years, my dad had battled Covid, pneumonia, blood clots, cancer, four strokes, and more. The revolving door of “He’s getting better” and “We might lose him” had taken a toll. I thought I’d already broken and wept over these things. Yet here in the darkness, after a good day when all was well, I lay here, my heart crumbling all over again. The devil wanted to use the pain in my past to make me anxious and fearful. But the more I thought about it, I realized those painful moments were not memories of defeat. In each terrifying time throughout my dad’s long health battle, God had carried us through. He had performed miracles. He had brought healing and answers. He had never left us. He had been our Rock, our Comfort, our Strength. In that moment, the tightness in my heart loosened, and a feeling of peace came over me—my crippling anxiety lost its grip. The very memories that the devil wanted to use as a weapon against me were now reminders of God’s faithfulness. I don’t have to live in this fear. I have a refuge in the Living God who will never leave me, never forsake me. • Madison Mae • As humans, we often struggle with fears about the future, especially when we remember painful experiences we’ve had in the past. How can remembering God’s faithfulness help us feel less afraid? • Can you think of a time you experienced God’s love and help in your life? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this! • Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), and He has promised never to leave us. He died and rose again so that He could always be with us! And while He lived among us on earth, He experienced all the brokenness of human life, so He can truly empathize with whatever we’re going through. When thoughts of the past feel overwhelming, we can ask Jesus to help us see how He has faithfully been with us through the hard things we’ve experienced. Consider taking some time to talk to Jesus about any fears or painful memories that come to mind, and imagine Him sitting beside you and weeping over the things that have hurt you. • Sometimes we need help bringing our fears and painful memories to God, and this is perfectly normal. Who are trusted Christians in your life you could share your thoughts and feelings with—people who will listen with compassion, pray with you, and show you God’s love? • Sometimes our bodies learn patterns of fear and anxiety, especially when we go through seasons of grief and turmoil. It can be a long process for our bodies to relearn healthy patterns of rest, but Jesus is ever gentle and patient with us. He stays with us on the journey and never lets us go, even in moments when anxiety seems overwhelming. And He wants to help us feel better in lots of ways, not just through prayer and Scripture, but also through the care and expertise of other people. When you’re struggling, who is a trusted adult you could talk to?...
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  A Season for Everything 23.09.2026 4мин

  READ: ECCLESIASTES 3:1-15 I love winter. There’s something about the chill in the air, the freshness I feel when I step outside, and the way everything feels still for a moment. But right now, we’re just starting to enter fall and honestly this past summer felt like it would never end. It was long, hot, and it just kept going. And I think we can all agree that’s how life feels sometimes too. There are seasons that stretch longer than we expected. The kind where you start to wonder if things will ever shift again. The waiting seasons. The heavy seasons. The “I thought I’d be out of this by now” moments. But Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that there’s a time and purpose for everything under heaven. God’s loving, intentional timing is woven into every rise and fall, every loss and gain, every quiet and every storm. The God who commands the earth to change from one season to another is the same God who loves you and is guiding the seasons of your life. Just like the weather eventually changes, so will your season—nothing in this world is eternal except for God Himself. What feels endless today will one day be something you look back on, and you might even be able to see the ways God was at work. You may be in a time of breaking or a time of building. A time of silence or a time of speaking, but none of it is forever. Seasons are meant to move. Even when it feels like summer will never end, fall is already forming. God doesn’t waste time; He transforms it. So I encourage you to embrace the work God is doing in your current season. Embrace the discoveries, the quiet moments with God, and the hidden growth. Embrace the cold or hot mornings. Because whether you feel it or not, God is with you in every moment, and His glory is still shining through. And one day, when the air shifts and your season changes, you may be able to see the ways He was faithful through it all. Every season has a purpose, even the ones that feel too long. God is in them all. • Maddison Willett • Where do you see God at work in your current season? Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT) 
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  How to Handle Temptation 22.09.2026 4мин

  READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13; HEBREWS 4:14-16; JAMES 1:12-18 Do you ever just feel overwhelmed by temptation? Our world is packed with opportunities to sin. Temptation seems to be around every corner. Each day, when we look at our phones or go to school or even just spend time alone with our thoughts, we can be faced with jealousy, greed, lust, and so many other enticements to sin—to doubt God’s goodness and go our own way instead. James 1:12-18 talks about the struggle we all have with temptation and trusting God. James says there are two possible responses to temptation in our lives. First, we can respond by blaming God (verse 13). It’s easy to become frustrated when we’re tempted because sin lies to our hearts and seems so good. Even if we know that a particular sin is not right, it’s easy to doubt God’s goodness in those moments. That’s why James points out a second, better way to respond: rather than doubting God’s goodness and blaming Him for the temptations we face, we can respond by trusting in the character of God. James says, “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters” (verse 16). In other words, don’t let your sinful desires lie to you. Instead, James points out two important truths about God’s goodness: (A) all the good things in our lives are really gifts from God (verse 17) and (B) God is never the cause of our temptation (verses 13-14). God is good, and His character is unchanging. We have a God who cares for us and made a way for us to know Him through Jesus. A God who loves us so much that He is always working for our good, even through the messiest of situations (Romans 8:28-39; James 1:2-4, 16-18). A God who knows how difficult temptation is, who empathizes with us, and who resisted every temptation on our behalf so He could die in our place and rise again, making the way for us to be forgiven. Whenever we face temptation, James reminds us not to give in and blame God. Because no matter the temptations or trials we face, God is good, and we can always turn to Him for hope and “receive mercy and find grace to help us” (Hebrews 4:16). • Phil Cox • When we’re tempted to sin, how could it be helpful to remember that God loves us, He is good to us, and He has already provided forgiveness and made us new through Jesus? • We’re not meant to struggle alone. Jesus invites us to come to Him with everything we’re facing, and He also calls us to share our struggles with each other. Who are trusted Christians you can be honest with about temptations and sins in your life? Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 (NIV) 
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  The Bible's Songbook 21.09.2026 4мин

  READ: PSALM 46; EPHESIANS 5:19 Music is one of the best parts of life. People have been making music since all the way back in Genesis, and every culture since then has created new rhythms and melodies. We memorize our favorite lyrics, get songs stuck in our heads, and sometimes even make playlists to be the soundtracks of our lives. The book of Psalms is actually a collection of songs, and it’s also the longest book in the Bible. But, even though it’s long, it’s a great book to start reading because it’s already broken up into small individual pieces. It consists of 150 psalms (or songs), and you might recognize some of the words because lots of worship songs in churches today take lyrics right out of the psalms. Some psalms are structured more like hymns. Some are written more like wise sayings, such as Psalm 1. Some read like a prayer journal, crying out to God for comfort, rescue, or forgiveness. You can find psalms that praise God for who He is (Psalm 145), look in wonder at His works and creation (Psalm 19), pour out heart-cries to Him in unfiltered lament (Psalm 13), and thank Him for victories and blessings (Psalm 46). The psalms cover every aspect of life—the good and the bad—pointing to God as our hope in all of it. One amazing thing about the psalms is that they were written hundreds of years before Jesus came and lived among us, but they foreshadow Jesus (Psalm 22, for example). So, consider opening up your Bible and flipping to the psalms. Read one, and fill yourself with the lyrics. You could even try making up a melody and singing a verse or two. Who knows? It might just become the soundtrack of your day. • Abby Ciona • What is your favorite type of music? Do you have any songs stuck in your head right now? • Music was God’s idea! Why do you think God included songs in the Bible? How can music help us understand His heart, fill ourselves with His Word, and express our honest emotions to Him? • Consider taking some time to read one of the psalms mentioned above and consider: What is the psalmist saying about God? How might this psalm point to the hope we have in Jesus, who is God? You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7 (NIV) 
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  Still with Me? 20.09.2026 4мин

  READ: MATTHEW 6:6-13, 25-34; ROMANS 8:18-39 I have recently experienced the joy of having prayer after prayer answered with a “yes.” It feels wonderful to know God is listening as I cry out to Him—and He cares enough to give me the things I ask for. But what about those times when we pray and pray and never get the response we’re hoping for? When I see God’s “yes” to my prayers, I feel so close to Him. I smile as I look toward the sky, imagining Him looking down at me. But when I pray and things don’t work out the way I want them to, it’s easy for me to feel alone. Sometimes I feel like I have to figure things out by myself, like no one is going to help me. It can be hard to remember God is with me always—in the good times and the not-so-good times. So, I turn to His Word. God knows that we need reminders of His love, and He tells us over and over again that He will never leave us. Just because He doesn’t seem to be intervening in the ways we want Him to, that doesn’t mean He’s ignoring us or He doesn’t care. The truth is, He loves us so much that He laid down His life to save us, and He is always working for our good—even when we don’t see it (John 5:17; Romans 8:28). It can be hard to pray and then have things work out differently than we wanted them to, but Jesus is eager to remind us that He is still with us, and He is still working. • Emily Acker • Can you think of a time you saw God answer a prayer with a “yes”? What happened? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this! • Sometimes God’s answer to a prayer is “no” or “wait,” and we may never know why. But we do know He loves us and cares about us so much that He came to rescue us from sin and death, even though it cost Him His own life. When Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave, He demonstrated the fullness of God’s unfailing love, and He made the way for all our hurts to be healed and all our needs to be fulfilled. When Jesus returns, all God’s people and all of creation will be made new and whole, finally free from sin and its effects! Until that day, we can see glimpses of this wholeness as we pray for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done “on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Consider taking some time to pray about whatever is on your heart today. God invites us to be totally honest with Him about what we want Him to do, and He promises to act for our good, in His perfect timing. Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39 (NIV) 
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  Second Chances 19.09.2026 5мин

  READ: JOHN 3:16-17; ROMANS 8:1-17, 32-39; HEBREWS 4:14-16 I attend a Bible study with women who are older (and wiser) than I am. Sometimes their stories surprise me. One of these women, who I’ll call Larissa, recently shared a memory from years ago. While at university, she needed a white dress to wear for a ceremony. Since she didn’t have one, she decided to sew one herself, borrowing a sewing machine from a friend who lived in her dorm. But the finished product turned out badly. Larissa took the dress home on her next visit to recruit help from her mom. After taking apart the dress and remaking it entirely, Larissa’s mom begged her not to try sewing ever again. Although we laughed at the story, Larissa told our group she’d never improved her sewing skills because her mother didn’t give her a second chance. In fact, Larissa had never even attempted to sew another project. I began to wonder, What if God responded the way Larissa’s mother had when we make mistakes? What if He didn’t provide mercy and extend another opportunity when we fail? What if God never gave second chances—or third or fourth or…? The good news is, God has provided mercy through Jesus Christ. Once we’ve put our trust in Christ to forgive our sins, we no longer face condemnation—ever. We receive the righteousness of Jesus in exchange for our unrighteousness. As Romans 8:1 says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” We have been delivered from the death sentence our sin deserved. And now, as God’s forgiven children, we get to enjoy freedom! Since Christ gave Himself as the “sin offering” (Romans 8:3), we don’t have to be afraid that we will exhaust opportunities to join God in His work. We can step out in faith, knowing that if we fall flat, God will pick us up and help us try again— because we can never wear out God’s grace! He helps us grow in our walk with Jesus by giving second (and more) chances to His children. • Allison Wilson Lee • Have you ever felt like you messed up so badly that God wouldn’t give you any more chances? God knows that we aren’t perfect and that growing in Christ is a lifelong process—one that will only be completed when Jesus returns (Philippians 1:6). How could remembering that there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ” help us accept ourselves where we are today? • How does keeping our eyes on Jesus, instead of our shortcomings, make it possible for us to keep running the race He has marked out for us? (Hebrews 12:1-3) • Consider taking a moment to ask God to help you notice where He is giving you another chance. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (NIV) 
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  Discernment and Courage 18.09.2026 4мин

  READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-8; PHILIPPIANS 1:9-11 After months of training, I was ready to run my first 5K. I invited someone I’ll call Flora to race too. She liked to run and agreed to join me. I looked forward to challenging myself and spending time with Flora. Back then, I mentored young women in their faith in Christ. Flora had joined my Bible study, and I wanted to get to know her better. This could be a good opportunity for that. Before the race, Flora mentioned a comment that her boyfriend, who I’ll call Eric, had made about her. She tried to laugh it off, but it sounded hurtful. In fact, Eric seemed to make discouraging comments to Flora often. I wondered if their relationship was unhealthy. “Flora, do you feel secure in your relationship?” I asked on our way to the race. “Hmm…I’ll have to think about that,” she answered. We didn’t discuss this again for a while. But later she surprised me. “Remember you asked if I felt secure in my relationship?” Flora said. “I thought about that and realized I didn’t. I broke up with Eric.” I hadn’t aimed to break them up. I just wanted the best for Flora. And now, I felt relieved to see her more at peace and more content. Flora had put her trust in Jesus to forgive her sins and give her a new life with God. I wanted the best for her as she grew in her faith, but—even more—God wanted His best for Flora too. When we enter a relationship with God, He becomes our Father. He desires the best for His children, and that extends to our relationships with others. Sometimes God brings good into our lives by giving us joyful, loving relationships. Other times, He grants us wisdom through His Spirit to leave relationships that cause harm. Through it all, we can trust His unfailing love for us. • Allison Wilson Lee • Which relationships in your life build you up? Consider taking a moment to thank God for these. • Can you think of any relationships that tear you down? What steps might God be inviting you to take to love with “knowledge and all discernment” (Philippians 1:9)? Do you need to have some honest conversations to address the problems? Is there someone you need to take a step away from, at least for a time? Consider taking a moment to ask God for guidance; He wants to lead you. Additionally, who are trusted Christians in your life you can share your concerns with—people who’ll listen with compassion and help you discern God’s direction? This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment. Philippians 1:9 (WEB) 
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  What About Romantic Relationships? (Part 2) 17.09.2026 4мин

  READ: EPHESIANS 5 Did you know that God-honoring romantic relationships can be a great place to learn more about God’s love? In my own life, God has used my relationship with my fiancé to teach me more about my relationship with Him. First, when I consider how much my fiancé and I love each other, I’m reminded of how much more God loves both of us. As we love and serve each other, we are reminded of the ways Jesus loves and serves us—even sacrificing His own life for ours (Ephesians 5:2; 1 John 4:19). Second, I’ve learned how well God knows me. Sometimes, when we’re on a date, my fiancé will ask if I want to split mozzarella sticks, and I’ll debate and then refuse. He’ll go ahead and order them for himself and, lo and behold, guess who actually wants mozzarella sticks? This simple way my fiancé knows me so well pales in comparison to how deeply God knows me (Psalm 139; John 10:14). Third, my relationship with my fiancé has been a reminder that God made people to be in community (Genesis 1–2). This doesn’t always mean romantic relationships, but sometimes it can. Some Christians are called to marriage, and we’re all called to singleness for at least part of our lives, so romantic relationships are one way—but not the only way—Christians can experience community (1 Corinthians 7). Ultimately, marriage points to Jesus because the church is the bride of Christ. A faithful, loving marriage between a husband and wife offers a picture of the kind of love Jesus has for us (Ephesians 5:25-33). He died for our sins and rose again so we could be with Him forever, enjoying His presence, working alongside Him in His kingdom, and resting in His unconditional love. As Christians—whether we are single, married, or dating—we are intimately loved by the one who knows us better than we know ourselves. • Naomi Zylstra • What does the gospel have to do with our approach to romance? What does a relationship centered on Jesus look like? (If you want to dig deeper, read Matthew 19:4-6; 1 Corinthians 6:11-20; 7:39; 13:4-7; 2 Corinthians 6:14-15; Hebrews 13:4.) • What questions do you have about dating and marriage? Who is a trusted Christian adult in your life— such as a pastor, counselor, or parent—you feel comfortable talking to about these things? (If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future.) Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:2 (NLT) 
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  What About Singleness? (Part 1) 16.09.2026 5мин

  READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 7:7-9, 25-40 Some of you need to hear this. It’s okay to be single. No really. You do not need to be dating or married to be whole. Wholeness is found in Christ Jesus alone—not through a romantic partner. Our relationship with God is where we find fullness of life and meaning (John 10:10). Yet, in our broken world, many people have a fear of being single. I was single for almost twenty-one years, and it did not, in fact, kill me. Actually, sometimes I miss certain things I took for granted while I was single. A God-honoring romantic relationship—from dating to engagement to marriage—takes a time commitment. And that’s especially true for married couples, because the husband and wife have made vows before God and His people to care for each other. There isn’t the same kind of abundant free time to spend with friends. There’s also a learning curve as you both figure out what it looks like to serve Jesus and keep His kingdom central in the ways you serve one another (Matthew 6:33). Paul talks about being single in the book of 1 Corinthians. He says remaining single is a good thing, especially because it allows a person to devote more attention toward serving the Lord. How? Singleness can offer greater flexibility in pursuing opportunities and friendships with other people, which in turn can deepen our understanding of God and our relationship with Him. Remember, serving is just as much about God pouring peace, love, and joy into our lives as what we’re able to share with others. God wants to fill our lives with the joy of community! At the same time, it’s important to remember that Jesus is the only one who loves us perfectly. People will let us down, but Jesus will never fail us. He always cares for us, never acts selfishly, and always knows exactly what we need. He is the faithful bridegroom, and we—His church—are His bride. He loves us so much that He gave up His own life for ours on the cross, because He wants to live in love and community with us every day, every moment. You might be thinking, “This is all fine and dandy, but I still want to date and get married someday.” And that’s okay. But while you’re single, take time to invest in the relationships you already have. Enjoy community with Jesus and with the people He has placed in your life! • Naomi Zylstra • How might God be inviting you to invest in the relationships you currently have? How could you serve right now, just as you are? What are some ways you can share God’s love and joy with others—both those who know Jesus and those who don’t? I [Paul] am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible. 1 Corinthians 7:35 (NLT) 
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  From Scrolling to Thanking 15.09.2026 5мин

  READ: JEREMIAH 29:8-14; JOHN 21:20-22; 2 CORINTHIANS 10:12; GALATIANS 6:4 Ever been online scrolling, watching your friends and other people you follow as they share their vacations, adventures, accomplishments, funny stories…and you just ended up feeling like your own life was on hold? Let me tell you something: you’re not alone! Comparison steals your joy, and it can even make you forget about anything good that might be happening in your life. It can make your life seem like a sob story. One night, I remember sitting alone in a local park, feeling left behind. When I looked at my friends’ socials, it was just stories of which colleges they were set to attend. Meanwhile, I had yet to start the application process, let alone decide which colleges to apply to. I felt low and ungrateful. Nevertheless, I decided to think of three things I was thankful to God for. I thought of my dog, the recent earth-nourishing rains, and a wonderful phone conversation with my parents. Though spending that time in thankfulness to God didn’t change my situation, it redirected my focus from feeling small to feeling gratitude for the good things God was doing in my life. Isn’t it good news that God doesn’t compare us to each other? And He calls us not to compare ourselves with others either. Rest assured, God loves you and He has good plans for you. He made you unique, and He will lead you on your journey according to His timing and purpose. You will never get left behind— Jesus is with you every step of the way. So instead of fixing your eyes on someone else’s life journey or achievements, pay attention to what God is doing in yours. As you fix your eyes on Jesus— resting in His faithful love and following where He leads—you just might discover that true freedom is found, not in a life of comparison, but one of gratefulness (Hebrews 12:1-2). • Sammy Mwatha • What are three things you’re thankful to God for today, no matter how small? • We live during a time in history when the internet, smartphones, social media, etc. are still relatively new, and we’re constantly learning how to steward these resources well—and limit the potential negative impacts they can have on our brains. This week, consider turning off all your devices (anything with a screen) for at least one hour per day, and focus on things in your life that you’re thankful for—and do them with Jesus! You might spend the time relaxing outside, playing with your pet, eating a meal with your family, or engaging with something you enjoy (like art, music, sports, etc.) either alone or with friends. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD, “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) 
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  I'd Like Some Faith with a Side of Certainty! 14.09.2026 4мин

  READ: ROMANS 10:11-17; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:7 I was born legally blind. Usually I can see enough to get by, but if I have to find a classroom where the room number is posted above the door, I can’t see it. When the church puts the words to the chorus on the big screen up front, I can’t see it. If I’m in a restaurant where the menu is hanging behind the counter, I can’t see it. To compensate for not being able to see such things, I have to ask for help: “Do they have cheese curds here?” When the people around me are kind enough to answer my questions, I have to take them at their word. I can’t verify if cheese curds are on the menu until I place my order and say, “I’d like cheese curds with that.” Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” Most define faith as “belief” or “trust.” But take it from this legally blind guy: it’s a little deeper than that. I’m looking for information to act on—information I can’t see. Faith relies on someone who has more power and knowledge than I do. My bad sight forces me to depend on others and take them at their word. “For we live by faith, not by sight,” 2 Corinthians 5:7 says. I know full well what this means. I regularly put my life into the hands of others who can see what they’re doing. Similarly, God knows more than we do. He has more power, more insight, and is never wrong. We are wrong frequently. Faith acknowledges our weaknesses, but also God’s strength—and through the Holy Spirit, God leads us to rely on that strength (Romans 5:6; 8:26; 2 Corinthians 12:9; 1 John 4:16). Faith in Jesus is more than mental agreement with some statements; it’s living in light of sure information (1 John 5:20). As Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” • Jeff Weddle • Can you think of a time you had to depend on others? What was that like? • Faith in Jesus means relying on Him to save us, and depending on Him in every area of our lives. Of course, none of us will have perfect faith—at least, not until Jesus returns. But as we draw near to God, the Holy Spirit will help us grow in faith, reminding us that we can rest in a secure relationship with God because Jesus has made the way for us to become His dearly loved children (1 John 3:1). How could it be helpful to think of faith, not just as belief and trust, but also as reliance and dependence? For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)